About us
The research group Histories of Art, Architecture and Visual Culture (VISU) offers a platform for fundamental research on the history and theory of art, architecture and visual culture from the early modern period up to the present. We study not only the artistic and architectural practice, the material object and the spatial environment, but also the broader cultural, historical and societal context, which often relates to current themes such as new media, visualisation of conflict and war, urbanisation, sustainability, multiculturality and globalisation. Key questions concern the circulation of images, artefacts, practices and knowledge across boundaries. These cross-overs are understood as mutual interactions between the different arts and as exchanges between different cultures, traditions, regions or periods.
Recent News
VISU at the Renaissance Society of America conference 2025
We are excited to share that Pieter Martens, Caterina Cardamone and Alicia Rojas Costa hosted a panel "Images of Flanders in Renaissance Florence" at the Renaissance Society of America (RSA) conference on Saturday 22 March 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Call for papers: Jaarcongres Werkgroep Zeventiende Eeuw Familie, verwantschap en dynastie
Call for papers voor Jaarcongres Werkgroep Zeventiende Eeuw Familie, september 2025. Dit jaarcongres richt zich op dynastieke systemen en praktijken.
"Every Film is Political"
On 2 March, the Oscars will be awarded, and according to the British newspaper The Guardian, this year’s nominations are the most political ever. Katarzyna Ruchel-Stockmans is also pleasantly surprised by the selection.
Events
Practical info-Seminar “Florence and Renaissance Bruges”
The research seminar “Florence and Renaissance Bruges” (Monday 5 May 2025) will explore the multiple connections between these two cities in the 14th-16th century.
Practical info-Colloquium on Belgian Art Nouveau
To mark the publication of the last two volumes of the Belgian Art Nouveau series, the Hortamuseum is organising a symposium on 21 May 2025 at the Hôtel de Wignacourt in Paris.
Practical info-Colloquium "Décors de la première Reconstruction: L'Art déco dans les territoires dévastés"
The international colloquium "Décors de la première Reconstruction: L'Art déco dans les territoires dévastés" will take place from April 24 to 26, 2025. The event will explore the role of Art Deco in the reconstruction of areas devastated by World War I.
